The Princeton Field Guide to Mesozoic Plants - Nan Crystal Arens

A dazzlingly illustrated guide to the plant life of the dinosaur age, from intricate ferns to the most majestic megafloraThe Mesozoic was dominated by a spectacular array of flora, from ferns, conifers, and cycads to ginkgos and flowering plants, as well as some enigmatic species with no modern-day descendants. This wide-ranging illustrated guide provides an unparalleled, in-depth look at the era’s extraordinary plant life, exploring its natural history, biology, and evolution over a span of 185 million years. Blending the latest discoveries in paleontology with informative profiles of extinct species and their living descendants, The Princeton Field Guide to Mesozoic Plants is a one-of-a-kind reference to the botanical wonders of the prehistoric world. Features hundreds of breathtaking illustrations, from life studies and scenic landscapes to detailed sketches of representative speciesIntroduces the history of plant paleontology and the dating, geography, and extinction of Mesozoic floraProfiles hundreds of Mesozoic species, tracing the evolutionary relationships of fossil plants with living onesDiscusses photosynthesis, reproduction, growth, climate, plant communication, partnerships with fungi and animals, and conservationReveals how Mesozoic plants evolved in response to predation and changing environmental conditionsJourneys through the forests of the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periodsA must-have guide for anyone interested in the lost world of the dinosaurs